Best Practice

The predominate use of on−duty Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) officers for active patrolling of projects for speed control/traffic enforcement began in 1995. Prior to that, the use of off−duty officers was the normal practice. FDOT reimburses the FHP out of project funds per the FDOT/FHP agreement. Conditions to consider in deciding on the use of Speed and Law Enforcement Officers may include, but not be limited to:

• A work zone requiring reduced speeds
• Work zones where barrier wall is used adjacent to through traffic
• Night time work zones
• Areas with intense commuter use where peak hour traffic will require speed enforcement
• A work zone in which workers are exposed to nearby high speed traffic
• Work zones similar to the Design Standards, Index 608 (Two−Lane Two−Way Temporary Diversion Connection), 613 (Multilane Work within the Travel Way, Median, or Outside Lane), 614 (Multilane Work with the Travel Way, Center Lane), and 651(Multilane Divided, Maintenance and Construction).

The FDOT contract with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, as well as Hireback Reports, can be found at the following link: http://www.dot.state.fl.us/construction/Engineers/MOT/FHP_Contract.shtm

REASON(S) FOR ADOPTING:

The use of off−duty officers was not achieving the desired results of lowering speeds on major freeway projects. Off−duty officers on contractor's payroll had to obtain "on−duty" status to issue citations, thus rarely wrote citations for speeding.

PRIMARY BENEFIT(S):

The on−duty FHP officers are providing active patrolling with an emphasis on speed enforcement. Officers, when paid directly by the State, give more control of the officer's assignments to the project's personnel and are coordinated in advance with the FHP.

MOST APPLICABLE LOCATION(S)/PROJECT(S):

Urban or rural freeways and limited access roadways. All types of work.